RU2326769C2 - Amphibious armoured caterpillar vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport vehicles.

SUBSTANCE: vehicle capable of overcoming water obstacles in both surface and completely submerged positions incorporates a tight hull, water-jet propellers, an inner vehicle space venting system, ballast tanks, a compressor, a hydraulic locator, navigation and video observation systems. The vehicle is equipped with an independent power supply system built around high-capacity storage batteries to operate in completely submerged position without access to atmospheric air. The submersion depth and angular stabilisation senders allow keeping up a preset depth with the reserve buoyancy approximating to zero thanks to variable propulsion factor engines.

EFFECT: provision of maximum protection, covered movement, independence of the water obstacle depth and the bottom properties.

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Description

The invention relates to military equipment, in particular to the field of floating armored vehicles, designed to perform various tasks as a means of combat use and means of support, for example, when conducting landing operations at sea and wide water obstacles.

Known floating armored vehicle designed to solve various tasks in the conduct of hostilities and capable of overcoming water obstacles afloat in a completely submerged position (RF patent No. 2170676, CL B60F 3/00; F41H 7/00, 2001), which reduces the visibility and increased security against anti-tank weapons. The machine is equipped with an air supply pipe that communicates the body’s reserve volume with the atmosphere when moving afloat, immersion depth sensors, inflatable floats, each of which is equipped with inlet and outlet valves, and a threshold device with a deadband, compressor and video surveillance system. Overcoming water barriers is carried out in a submerged position, the body displacement is fully utilized, and maintaining the machine afloat is ensured by the total volume of inflatable floats, the filling of which changes when the immersion depth exceeds the tolerance specified by the dead zones of threshold devices. Thus, the preservation of a certain depth of immersion and stabilization in the corners of the roll and trim.

Known armored vehicle is characterized by the following disadvantages:

- the mandatory use of the communication system of the enclosed volume of the hull with the atmosphere (the presence of an air supply pipe) when moving afloat is a unmasking sign that affects the achievement of the expected result (reduced visibility, increased security);

- the adopted system for regulating the depth of immersion and angular stabilization by changing the filling of inflatable floats is characterized by significant inertia due to gas compressibility;

- malfunctions and damage to the system for regulating the depth of immersion and angular stabilization can lead to the death of the machine and crew, which also contributes to the full use of the displacement of the hull (lack of stock buoyancy);

- insufficient reliability of inflatable floats due to the tendency to damage of a different nature;

- inflatable floats increase the dimensions of the machine and hydrodynamic resistance to movement.

Known adopted as the closest analogue (prototype) floating armored tracked vehicle IPR (engineer submarine reconnaissance), which is an army engineering weapon and designed for the engineering reconnaissance of water obstacles and performing underwater engineering work (Fedoseev S.L. Infantry fighting vehicles: Illustrated reference book. - M .: Astrel Publishing House LLC: ACT Publishing House LLC, 2001; Technique and Armament No. 4/2001). The machine is adapted for movement and work in both surface and fully submerged positions. Maintaining afloat in the above-water position is provided by the displacement of the hull; two hinged propellers in the guide nozzles are used as a water propulsion. Immersion of IPR is carried out by filling ballast tanks with sea water, ascent - by drainage. The maximum immersion depth when performing underwater operations is 8 m, short-term diving to a depth of up to 15 m is allowed. IPR movement after immersion is carried out along the bottom using a caterpillar mover. The machine is equipped with an air supply pipe that provides communication of the body’s reserve volume with the atmosphere when it is in the submerged position, a lock chamber for the scout diver to exit, an air regenerator, sonar, navigation equipment and other special equipment.

Known floating armored tracked vehicle is characterized by the following disadvantages:

- the mandatory use of the system for communicating the reserved volume of the body with the atmosphere (the presence of an air supply pipe) when operating in a submerged position is a unmasking factor;

- the impossibility of moving afloat in the submerged position (without contact of the land mover with the bottom soil) due to the lack of systems for regulating the depth of immersion and angular stabilization;

- the presence of restrictions on the depth of the water barrier;

- insufficient mobility in the submerged position, due to the low specific pressure on the bottom soil due to the small difference between the volume of ballast tanks and the buoyancy margin.

The aim of the invention is to ensure maximum secrecy and security of a floating armored tracked vehicle when overcoming water obstacles, as well as independence from the depth of the water obstacle and the bottom soil properties by introducing the possibility of working at zero buoyancy margin in a completely autonomous mode without communicating the reserved body volume with the atmosphere.

This goal is achieved by equipping a floating armored tracked vehicle containing a sealed hull, water propulsion systems, a system for communicating the hull’s volume with the atmosphere, ballast tanks, a compressor, sonar, navigation aids and capable of overcoming water obstacles both in surface and fully submerged positions, autonomous energy supply system based on high-capacity batteries for the possibility of working and moving under water without any connection with the atmosphere, sensors kami immersion depth, the depth of the tracking control system and immersion angular stabilization sufficient to maintain a predetermined depth at zero buoyancy reserve, and a video surveillance system; moreover, ascent and immersion are carried out by changing the filling of ballast tanks, the total volume of which is determined by the buoyancy margin and the amount of cargo consumed, the minimum number of ballast tanks, the volume and location of each of them are taken based on ensuring unsinkability in case of damage or malfunction of any tank and flooding opposite to it for the purpose slight displacement of the center of gravity; maintaining within specified limits immersion depths, roll and trim angles is carried out using navigational propulsion devices with a variable thrust vector; The communication system of the housing’s reserved volume with the atmosphere is performed in the form of a telescopic pipe of adjustable length, at the receiving opening of which there is a transmitting camera of the video surveillance system.

A general view and basic layout decisions of a floating armored tracked vehicle in a variant of combat use are shown in figure 1, where the following notation is adopted:

1 - housing;

2 - battery compartment;

3 - transmitting camera of a video surveillance system;

4 - engine transmission compartment;

5 - niche navigable propulsion;

6 - water propulsion;

7 - air supply pipe;

8, 9 and 10 - respectively bow, side and aft ballast tanks.

Possible operating modes of the floating armored tracked vehicle explaining the invention are shown in FIGS. 2-4.

The floating armored tracked vehicle is performed on a six- or seven-roller base (Fig. 1). To implement the required degree of protection under conditions of weight limitations, light armor alloys are widely used in the design of the load-bearing sealed enclosure 1. The displacement of the hull ensures that the machine is kept afloat in the surface position. With a seven-roller base, the width of the hull is 3.0 m, adopted on the condition of fitting into the railway gauge 02-VM (3150 mm), and the height from the bottom to the roof is about 1.7 m, the reserved volume of the hull is estimated at 28-30 m ³ . With a relative buoyancy margin of 10-12%, the expected value of the combat weight is 25-27 tons, which, taking into account the significant mass of the batteries and special equipment, confirms the possibility of ensuring a reservation at the level of an infantry fighting vehicle and maintaining the required payload. The degree of pressurization of the hull allows the machine to be at a depth of about 10 m for a long time. In order to reduce hydrodynamic resistance, the hull has improved bow and stern contours. The use of hydropneumatic suspension with a ride height control system and the shielding of the undercarriage also contribute to the reduction of resistance to movement.

The layout of the machine is characterized by the aft arrangement of the engine-transmission compartment 4 and the bow arrangement of the battery compartment 2, which ensures favorable weight distribution. In front of the engine-transmission compartment, there is a telescopic air supply pipe 7 of the communication system of the housing’s reserved volume with the atmosphere, at the receiving opening of which there is a transmitting camera of the video surveillance system. The inhabited compartment with a control compartment, combat and landing squads is located in the bow and central parts of the vehicle. Ballast tanks are installed around the perimeter of the hull: bow 8, four airborne 9 and aft 10. In the aft part of the hull there are niches 5 for accommodating hinged navigational propellers 6. In the transport position, navigational propulsors do not protrude beyond the dimensions of the machine.

Surfacing and immersion of the machine is carried out by changing the filling of ballast tanks, the total volume of which is determined by the buoyancy margin, the amount of fuel carried and the mass of the consumed cargo. It follows that the relative buoyancy margin of the machine with a maximum mass should be 10-12%. A larger value of the buoyancy margin leads to an unacceptable decrease in the useful volume of the reserved space due to an increase in the volume of ballast tanks. With the development of fuel and the consumption of cargo, the stock of buoyancy increases. From the point of view of unsinkability, a relatively small amount of buoyancy margin is compensated by the increased productivity of water-pumping facilities that are electrically powered by batteries or a generator.

The minimum number of ballast tanks, the volume and location of each of them are taken based on the provision of unsinkability in case of damage or malfunction of any tank and flooding opposite to it with the purpose of insignificant displacement of the center of gravity of the machine. For example, damage to the bow ballast tank 8 when the machine is in the water position leads to a significant trim on the nose, which can lead to a loss of longitudinal stability. The elimination of the trim is provided by flooding the aft ballast tank 10, while maintaining positive buoyancy.

Sources of energy to ensure the movement and operation of the machine are a power plant based on a diesel engine and batteries. With a specific power of 22-25 hp / t, which is a characteristic value for high-speed tracked vehicles, engine power is 550-650 hp When working on navigable propulsion engines, diesel engine power is enough to move afloat at speeds of about 12-14 km / h.

To communicate with the atmosphere of the engine when the machine is in a completely submerged position, a telescopic air feed pipe 7 of adjustable length is used. When folded, the air supply pipe is located in the shaft of the housing and does not protrude beyond the dimensions of the machine.

In order to make it possible to work in a completely submerged position in the absence of communication of the hull volume with the atmosphere, an autonomous energy supply system based on promising rechargeable batteries with high specific characteristics, for example, lithium-ion or nickel-metal hydride, is used. The mass of the batteries with a combat weight of 25-27 tons, maintaining the required value of the payload and the required degree of protection is estimated at 2.0-2.5 tons, which is enough to move in a submerged position for an hour at speeds of about 10-12 km / h . Placing the battery compartment 2 at the bottom helps to reduce the center of gravity of the machine and, as a result, increase lateral stability.

The autonomous energy supply system can be used to drive the drive wheels of a caterpillar mover in order to increase the traction and dynamic characteristics in special driving modes (acceleration, speed reduction, etc.) or failure of a diesel engine, that is, it is possible and advisable to use a hybrid diesel-electric power train on the machine installation and electromechanical transmission.

As water propellers 6, propellers in guide nozzles or water cannons are used. Navigational propulsors are made with a variable thrust vector. Depending on the operating mode of the machine, the propulsion devices can be driven by a diesel engine or batteries. Hydro-volume gears are used in the drive of water-propelled propulsors.

Maintaining the machine’s immersion depths, heel angles and trim at close to zero buoyancy margin is ensured by means of a tracking system for regulating the immersion depth and angular stabilization when exposed to control drives of navigable thrusters with a variable thrust vector. The position of the machine (immersion depth, roll and trim angles) is determined using three or four immersion depth sensors mounted symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal plane. Signals from all sensors enter the control unit of the system, made on the basis of threshold devices with dead zones. Impact on the control drives of navigational propulsors is carried out when the depth of at least one of the sensors changes above threshold values corresponding to a given immersion depth. For example, when reaching the upper limit of the depth of immersion as a result of movement with some trim to the stern, the control unit gives a command to deviate “down” simultaneously two navigable propulsors, thereby stopping further reduction of depth. If it is impossible to maintain the desired position of the machine by acting on the control drives of navigable propulsion devices, for example, if there is a small positive margin of buoyancy, the filling of the ballast tanks is changed.

For visual orientation when moving afloat, a video surveillance system is used with a transmitting camera 3 located at the receiving opening of the air supply pipe 7. A video surveillance system is also used when conducting reconnaissance on land. The machine is equipped with modern navigation aids, as well as special equipment for determining the characteristics of water barriers (depth, bottom profile, the presence of navigational obstacles, etc.), for example, by sonar, and means of providing habitability (air regenerator, personal rescue equipment).

The following basic modes of operation of a floating armored tracked vehicle, shown in figure 2-4.

Under normal conditions, the machine overcomes water obstacles in the surface position (figure 2) with a relative buoyancy margin of 10-12%. At the same time, movement with speeds of the order of 12-14 km / h is carried out due to the operation of the diesel engine, and for visual orientation, both a video surveillance system and conventional observation devices can be used.

In order to reduce the likelihood of detection and increase security, the machine is able to overcome water barriers in a position submerged to a depth of 10 m (Fig. 3). Moreover, the aquatic environment plays the role of additional natural protection. Immersion is carried out by filling ballast tanks with sea water by the value of the stock of buoyancy. Maintaining the machine’s immersion depths, roll and trim angles is ensured by means of a tracking system for regulating the immersion depth and angular stabilization when the control drives are driven by navigational propulsion devices with a variable thrust vector. The diesel engine is connected to the atmosphere by means of an air supply pipe of adjustable length. For visual orientation, a video surveillance system is used.

In order to ensure maximum secrecy and security, the floating armored tracked vehicle has the ability to overcome water obstacles in a completely submerged position without communicating the hull volume with the atmosphere (Fig. 3), which is achieved through the use of an autonomous energy supply system based on rechargeable batteries with high specific characteristics. The battery capacity is enough to move for an hour at speeds of about 10-12 km / h. Navigation aids are used to orient the machine, and the safe work of the crew is ensured by an air regenerator.

As a result of filling the ballast tanks with outboard water by an amount exceeding the buoyancy margin, the machine is able to stay for a long time at the bottom of a water barrier with a depth of up to 10 m (Fig. 4). At the same time, a diesel engine or batteries can be used to power the equipment.

Thus, the floating armored tracked vehicle is characterized by maximum secrecy and security, as well as independence from the depth of the overcome water barrier and the properties of the bottom soil.

Claims (1)

A floating armored tracked vehicle capable of overcoming water obstacles both in the surface and in completely submerged positions and equipped for this with a sealed hull, water propulsion devices, a system for communicating the hull’s volume with the atmosphere, ballast tanks, a compressor, sonar and navigation aids, characterized in that, in order to ensure maximum secrecy and security, as well as independence from the depth of overcome water barriers and bottom soil properties, it is equipped with an autonomous me power supply system for the possibility of work and movement in a fully submerged position without connection with the atmosphere, the immersion depth sensors, the servo system controlling the depth of immersion and angle stabilization sufficient to maintain a predetermined depth at near zero buoyancy reserve, and a video surveillance system; moreover, an autonomous energy supply system is based on high-capacity batteries; surfacing and immersion are carried out by changing the filling of ballast tanks, the total volume of which is determined by the buoyancy margin and the amount of cargo consumed, while the minimum number of ballast tanks, the volume and location of each of them are taken based on the provision of unsinkability in case of damage or malfunction of any tank and flooding opposite to it the purpose of a slight displacement of the center of gravity; maintaining within specified limits immersion depths, roll and trim angles is carried out using navigational propulsion devices with a variable thrust vector; The communication system of the housing’s reserved volume with the atmosphere is performed in the form of a telescopic pipe of adjustable length, at the receiving opening of which there is a transmitting camera of the video surveillance system.

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